This question is mainly directed to nurses my age - 50's and up, but I would enjoy hearing from all ages. My reason for asking is because I am just starting my nursing career and I'm trying to realistically gauge how long my career will be. I have personally heard of a nurse 75 years old who still works in LTC full-time, and a 70 year-old who work per diem rather often. Also, I've met a 76 year-old nurse who retired from clinical teaching approximately two years ago.
Aside from health issues, what is reasonable to expect? Thanks in advance
I'm 55 and have been doing this for 31 years. I'm also in FNP school as I do not want to work the floors again. I really do not plan to retire, just keep traveling around and working in other countries...hopefully Africa next.
Physically, even now, at age 51, I would have trouble if I had a very physical job. I have a bad knee, a bad hip, hypertension, hard of hearing, etc. Nothing serious or out of control -- but I wouldn't want to be on my feet for 12 hours doing a lot of heavy physical labor. However, I have a "desk job" ... so it's nothing I can't handle.
Some people are lucky and healthy and have no trouble working as a bedside nurse well into their 50's and 60's. Other people are not.
My plan is to work full time until around age 60, then to try to taper off to part time employment for a couple of years to retire sometime around age 65. However, if my health gets worse, I should financially be able to retire a few years earlier than that. I have been saving regularly since I was in my 20's except for a couple of years while I was in grad school.
Health insurance may be the biggest factor. I can't completely retire unless I can get reasonable health insurance and my current employer does not provide access to the group plan for retirees.
Well, First I believe that Nursing is a calling, not a profession per se. I am also 50, but attended nursing school right after high school at 18 y.o.
I hope never to retire! Smile, sigh but practically speaking I am sure there will come a day when I won't physically be able to do what I do now (critical care), or even mentally.
However, when I was at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Germany there was a 72 y.o. Army Nurse Corps - Reserves who was called to duty, and she responded! Cool, huh?
Be well,
athena
I have 7 yrs prior active duty service along with around 3 years reserves. I came back on active duty April 3rd with the intention of doing 13 more years on active duty. This would have me retiring at age 57. However, I can see maybe doing something RN related after my military retirement.
I'm aiming to cut back about 67 or 68 and retire at 70 if physically able. I would like to move into a less physical setting by that time as I'm on a busy hospital unit right now.
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I have been lucky enough to land in a job (director of health services for an assisted living community) that I think I'll be able to handle for quite a number of years yet. It requires a lot of mental energy, but I've never lacked for that except when I was worn out from all the physical stress of my med/surg job. Yes, I help the staff out with the occasional transfer or repositioning in bed, and I do wound care and pass meds once in a while; but most of my day is spent at a desk or walking around the building, and that's just great---I can get up and stroll around when I need to, sit down when I want to, go to the bathroom when it's necessary, even eat at normal mealtimes.
So I'll work as long as I possibly can, and then probably keel over some night at my desk after signing off on a chart.........retirement is NOT in the cards for me, and I know it. Sometimes I joke around with my residents and tell them I'm going to be working there until I'm ready to move in WITH them!
Maybe I'm just lazy at heart - although I always thought I'd be bored silly not working, the older I get, the better not working looks.
Of course, I've never made a lot of money, and spent freely when I had it. Which I definately don't regret. After seeing my dad (who saved religiously) die of an MI at age 51, and my mom go through his savings in a very short time, I know only too well how unpredictable life is.
I work 32 hours a week now, in a management postion, and hope to quit ~ age 62. Hopefully dh's job will cover my health insurance.
After that I don't know. May wind up in some poor but beautiful third world country, living it up on my Social Security. Wheeeee!!!!!!
You can tell me how short sighted I am, but my motto is: Be happy now! :wink2:
I am 53, and I will have a fairly good retirement from the state.
I plan to get in Arkansas' Deferred Retirement plan in 2 years, when I get in my 28. Then I will have to work 7 years in the DROP.
In 9 years, I will be about 62 and God willing and if the Lord doesn't return before then, or call me home, I will probably quit at around that age.
At 62 I intend to kick in on my ex husband's Social Security...{you can do that if you were married at least 10 years} and save mine until I am eligible to draw my own.
I have 7 yrs prior active duty service along with around 3 years reserves. I came back on active duty April 3rd with the intention of doing 13 more years on active duty. This would have me retiring at age 57. However, I can see maybe doing something RN related after my military retirement.
Good for you. I'm forever greatful my father put in over 20 years and is a retired officer. He's set for the rest of his life.
Hi! I have been reading that all of you are planning on retiring when you are at least 55 years old. What kind of retirement benefits do hospitals give you? If you work their for so long do they give you anything for it? I am trying to plan for my future now!!:wink2: Thanks!! Kelly
Hi! I have been reading that all of you are planning on retiring when you are at least 55 years old. What kind of retirement benefits do hospitals give you? If you work their for so long do they give you anything for it? I am trying to plan for my future now!!:wink2: Thanks!! Kelly
Kelly most places don't "give" you anything anymore. When you retire, it's a plauqe, a lunch and maybe a watch and goodbye you're on your own.
The days of pension plans rewarding you for years of service have ended in the private sector. You have to save and invest in your own retirement.
What a lot of places do is offer savings plans, called 401K's or 403K's, that you yourself contribute to. Many places also contribute a token amount, or match your contributions, so they do "give" a little.
The bottom line is you are on your own when it comes to your retirement. It's good that you're thinking about your future. I've been thinking about it a lot the last couple of days myself.
Those who retire by 55 have usually planned for it when they were much much younger, saved and invested wisely.
I am extremely fortunate that my hospital has a pension plan in addition to the 401k. That is truly a rarity nowadays. My husband is also retired military (but still works full-time). He plans to retire at 55 (2 years) and then work a third career "for fun."
llg brought up an excellent point - if we are physically able, we can (and do) still work the floors. I like clinical care very much and can do it just fine right now. If I was to become ill or get hurt, options are needed. Great discussion.
Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.
This probably doesnt count as I am not yet a nurse (7.5 months left) but I am retiring from the Coast Guard in October 07 after 25 years (will be 42). Then I will start my nursing career. Hope to work nursing another 25 years or so and the I will be eligible for social security if its still around!
zenman
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I'm 55 and have been doing this for 31 years. I'm also in FNP school as I do not want to work the floors again. I really do not plan to retire, just keep traveling around and working in other countries...hopefully Africa next.